14 JANUARY 1922, Page 3

The rainfall in 1921 was so exceptionally light that it

is not surprising to find the Ministry of Health. expressing concern about the water supply. The wonder is that the supply for the great towns has been maintained for so' long' while the rivers were running low and the springs drying up. London, which haa an average daily supply of 277,000,000 gallons, has suffered from no restrictions, despite the long drought, because the subterranean stores of water are very great. Yet there are limits to Nature's bounty. Northampton last week had to reduce its water supply by nearly half, and even in the London area, it is believed, the water level 'of the-water-bearing strata is- still sinking. Another dry winter would occasion no small anxiety to the Metropolitan Water Board.